Syria: ‘We No Longer Trust Israel’

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has said talks with Israel over a security agreement have stalled, with no date set for their resumption.

In an interview with Reuters, al-Shaibani said, “We currently do not trust Israel.” He said communication between the two countries had stopped after Israel carried out a strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase last week.

The Syrian foreign minister said Damascus hopes negotiations can resume soon. He also claimed that the United States has been putting continued pressure on Israel to return to the negotiating table.

Al-Shaibani accused Israel of relying on military force to ensure its security, arguing that the approach had failed. He said Syria, instead, was extending its hand for dialogue, peace and diplomacy.

Talks between Syria and Israel have focused on security cooperation and the situation along the border. However, recent Israeli military strikes have once again heightened tensions between the two countries.